Myofibroblast Markers

A Myofibroblast is a form of fibroblast
cell that has differentiated partially towards a smooth muscle
phenotype.

It can contract by using some of the cytoskeletal
proteins that are normally found in smooth muscle cells, in
particular a form of actin called alpha-smooth muscle actin. These
cells are then capable of speeding wound repair by contracting the
edges of the wound.

By immunohistology
myofibroblasts (LD-plated fibroblasts) are shown to express
cadherin-11 on their surface and between cells, while HD-plated
fibroblasts expressed less cadherin-11 on their surface.
PMID: 15584087

Desmin

both Ito cells and
myofibroblasts are positive for desmin, but only myofibroblasts
contain large amounts of actin.
PMID: 2907200

EDA (ED-A fibronectin)

expressed in all ERMs
in close relation with alpha-SM actin-positive myofibroblasts.
PMID: 10892881

GB 42

a
useful marker for the differentiation of myofibroblasts.
PMID: 7648618

Palladin 4Ig

a novel marker of myofibroblast conversion in
vitro and in vivo.
PMID: 16794588

The marker of
fibroblast-myofibroblast modulation is the neo expression of
alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA), the actin isoform typical
of vascular smooth muscle cells that has been suggested to play
an important role in myofibroblast force generation.
PMID: 11994316

Myofibroblasts are important but transient
mediators of normal wound contraction and are characterized
phenotypically by their high levels of alpha-smooth-muscle actin
(SMA).
PMID: 10595938